Bisi Ezerioha

Last updated
Bisi Ezerioha
Bisi2022.jpg
Born
Ndubisi Ezerioha

(1972-01-06) January 6, 1972 (age 52)
Alma mater California State University, Long Beach
Occupation(s) Engineer and Entrepreneur
Title

Ndubisi "Bisi" Ezerioha (born January 6, 1972) is a Nigerian-American engineer, professional race car driver, entrepreneur and engine builder. He is the current CEO and Chief Engineer for Bisimoto Engineering. Ezerioha is involved in import drag racing, and pilots a 2006 Honda Insight in the pro stock ranks of IDRA, IDRC and CMI series. A chemical engineer by training, [1] and entering university at the age of 15, he was a pharmaceutical researcher for years before he decided to branch off. His automotive creations have appeared in numerous films, television shows, toys and video games. [2]

Contents

Early life

Bisi was born on January 7, 1972, [3] the son of Nigerian parents Dr. Emesia Ezerioha, [1] an industrialist and Chinyere Ezerioha, a biochemist, researcher and cosmetics pioneer. Ezerioha's father holds bachelor's degrees in earth sciences and geology from California State University, Los Angeles, master's degrees in earth systems science as well as economics and a Ph.D. in international marketing. [1] Hailing from a scientific oriented family background, Bisi developed a keen interest and showed aptitude in chemistry while in secondary school in Nigeria. His curiosity about what powered automobiles and factory machinery led to his enrolment into Anambra State University of Technology, Anambra, Nigeria at the age of 15 to study petrochemical engineering. [4]

Education

After a year of study in Nigeria, West Africa, Ezerioha transferred to Cerritos College and graduated with an honors associate degree in applied and natural sciences, before proceeding to California State University, Long Beach where he obtained bachelor's and master's degrees in Chemical Engineering and Engineering Management respectively. [5]

Career

Pharmaceuticals

Upon graduation, Ezerioha joined the research division of a pharmaceutical company, eventually switching to sales and quickly rising through the management ranks. After over a decade in various areas of pharmaceutical research, marketing and sales he desired to utilize his skills in the design and manufacturing high-performance parts for motor sports. During this time, he gained some recognition in the racing scene for building and driving the fastest carbureted front wheel drive vehicle in the world. [6]

Motorsports

In 1994, Ezerioha founded Bisimoto Engineering to further test and bring his engine designs to life. Ezerioha's early accolades include building the most powerful naturally-aspirated SOHC Honda engines involving the D16A6, D15B7, F22A, F18A and D16Z6 platforms. He demonstrated through his unique designs that even less popular engines could reliably produce significant amounts of power. [7]

Innovation at Bisimoto eventually expanded into the turbocharged market with a 700 hp 1.6L sohc powered Honda civic wagon, 533 hp LEA1 1.5L CR-Z hybrid, a 1000+hp Honda Odyssey, a 602whp Hyundai Elantra GT, and many high HP twin-turbocharged Porsche 911s. [8]

By consistently exceeding expectations while creating unparalleled automotive masterpieces he has led the firm to become one of the most recognized engine design and tuning houses in the world. [9] Ezerioha's accomplishments have been documented worldwide by popular magazines like DSport, SuperStreet, Turbo Magazine, Sport Compact Car, Racecar Engineering, Import Tuner, Total 911, Fast Car, and Full Throttle magazines.

In 2019, Bisi built the world's first electric 935 Porsche making 636hp. He followed up with a longtail Moby Dick inspired 935 known as the Moby X, also in EV format, with 640hp. Both were exhibited in the Petersen Automotive Museum, showcased in the "We Are Porsche" exhibit (2023-2024), commemoration Porsche's 75 years as a brand. The two cars were the only electric vehicles in the display.

Motor MythBusters

Ezerioha was later chosen to host Motortrend's automobile-themed spinoff of MythBusters , titled Motor MythBusters. He was also joined by Faye Hadley and MythBusters veteran Tory Belleci in testing tall tales and stories related to automobiles. [10]

Achievements

Drag Racing

2016: One event win

2015: Three event wins, World's quickest n/a FWD Unibody 1/8th mile time at 5.87 seconds

2014: One event win; World's fastest Hyundai run at 178 mph; World's fastest 1976 Porsche 930 at 156 mph

2013: Two event wins, Unibody FWD naturally aspirated world record with 9.20 at 152 mph

2011: Two event wins

2010: One event win

2009: Five event wins; Set the world record of the first naturally aspirated FWD to run 150 mph in a quarter mile; Broke the world record for quickest naturally aspirated FWD with a 9.36 quarter mile elapsed time

2008: Six event wins

2007: Four Event wins; International Drag Racing Association (IDRA) Pro stock champion

2006: Eight event wins; World's 1st confirmed 9 second n/a pass on gasoline (9.97 at 135 mph) First non-VTEC Honda all motor to run 9s in the quarter mile ; International Drag Racing Circuit (IDRC)Pro Stock Champion

2005: One event win

2004: Three event wins

2003: Six event wins; International Drag Racing Circuit (IDRC) all motor world champion; Voted “World’s favorite pro stock racer” by the International Drag Racing Association (IDRA)

2002: First non-VTEC Honda all motor to run 10s in the quarter mile (10.93@124.7 mph); World's quickest SOHC n/a Honda at 10.72 elapsed time (1.5L) [11]

2001: One event win

2000: One event win

1999: First non-VTEC Honda all motor to run 11s in the quarter mile. World's fastest and quickest n/a 1.5L

1998: World's Fastest Naturally Aspirated Street SOHC (12.64); one event win

1997: One event win

Engine Design, Tuning and Modifications

2017 SEMA: 83mpg Ioniq, for Hyundai Motors America; 700 hp Dodge Viper, for NGK Spark Plugs; 58mpg Ioniq for Toyo Tires; 526 hp Center seat Porsche for Dynapack Dynamometers PTY New Zealand [12]

2016 SEMA: 400 hp RWB Porsche for SpeedHunters UK; 1080 hp Turbo RWD conversion Santa Fe, for Hyundai Motors America; 901 hp Ford Mustang for NGK Spark Plugs; 500 hp Porsche 911 twin turbo for Quaife Engineering UK[ citation needed ]

2016 CES show: 701 hp Hyundai Tucson Turbo for Harman Karden/JBL [13]

2015 SEMA: 400 hp RWB Porsche for Need for speed Electronic Arts Video game company; 250 hp HR-V for American Honda; 700 hp Turbo Tucson, for Hyundai Motors America; 900 hp Mustang for Ford Motor Company; 500 hp Turbo RWB Porsche 911 for Toyo Tires

2014 SEMA: 400 hp and spec racing FITs, for American Honda; 888 hp Turbo Sonata for Hyundai Motor America; 500 hp Porsche 911 Turbo for PurOl Lubricants; 481 hp Twin turbo Porsche Cayman, for NGK Spark Plugs; 609 hp Twin Turbo Porsche for Spec Clutch . [14]

2013 SEMA: 1029 hp Turbo Odyssey Minivan, for American Honda; 1022 hp twin turbo Genesis coupe, for Hyundai Motor America; 400 hp single turbo Porsche 911 for NGK Spark Plugs; 850 hp Porsche 911 for Spec Clutch. [15]

2012 SEMA: 530 hp Porsche 911 twin turbo, for NGK Spark Plugs; 401 hp Accord EX, for American Honda; 602whp Elantra GT, for Hyundai Motor America [16]

2011 SEMA: 771 hp Porsche 911 turbo for NGK Spark plugs; 1004 hp Civic Si, for American Honda [17]

2010 SEMA: 2011 533 hp Hybrid CR-Z, for American Honda [18] [19]

2008 SEMA: 1988 724whp Honda Civic Wagon, For Classic Honda midway

2007 SEMA: 2006 420 hp Honda Insight drag Car

2006 SEMA: Superstreet Castrol Syntec 360 hp engine build

Other Motorsport Activities

In 2015, the Bisimoto Hyundai Sonata was recognized as the most powerful Sonata sedan in history with a record 888 hp, much greater than the Dodge Challenger Hellcat. [20] [21]

In 2014, the Bisimoto Honda Odyssey was featured in Top Gear USA episode 'Cool Cars for Grownups' on July 8, 2014. [22]

In 2013, the Bisimoto Honda Odyssey is featured in Autoweek, Examiner, TopGear, Autoblog and Edmunds. [23] [24] Autoblog [25] [26]

In 2012, Bisimoto designed and built a 530 HP Porsche 911 Twin Turbo Cabriolet recognized as the world's first drive-by-wire air cooled Porsche engine, with CAN BUS. Bisimoto Engineering is invited by Honda alongside DSO Eyewear/MAD Industries to take part in the 2013 Honda Accord Project Vehicle Program. [27]

In 2011, following Honda's launch of a new grassroots racing program they invited three independent vehicle tuners to build and display their Civic Si concepts at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV. Tuners were asked to push the limits of performance and style with their builds, and the vehicles on display to demonstrate the personalized potential of the Si Coupe and Sedan. [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sports car</span> Performance-oriented car class, generally small or light-weight with good handling

A sports car is a car designed with an emphasis on dynamic performance, such as handling, acceleration, top speed, the thrill of driving, and racing capability. Sports cars originated in Europe in early 1902 and are currently produced by many manufacturers around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porsche 911 (964)</span> Motor vehicle

The Porsche 964 is a model of the Porsche 911 sports car manufactured and sold between 1989 and 1994. Designed by Benjamin Dimson through January 1986, it featured significant styling revisions over previous 911 models, most prominently the more integrated bumpers. It was the first car to be offered with Porsche's Tiptronic automatic transmission and all wheel drive as options.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super GT</span> Auto racing series in Japan

Super GT is a sports car racing series that began in 1993. Launched as the Zen Nihon GT Senshuken (全日本GT選手権), generally referred to as either the JGTC or the All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship, the series was renamed to Super GT in 2005. It is the top level of sports car racing in Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kia K5</span> Mid-size car

The Kia K5, formerly known as the Kia Optima, is a mid-size car manufactured by Kia since 2000 and marketed globally through various nameplates. First generation cars were mostly marketed as the Optima, although the Kia Magentis name was used in Europe and Canada when sales began there in 2002. For the second-generation models, Kia used the Kia Lotze and Kia K5 name for the South Korean market, and the Magentis name globally, except in the United States, Canada, Malaysia and the Middle East, where the Optima name was retained until the 2021 model year. The K5 name is used for all markets since the introduction of the fifth generation in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SEMA</span> Specialty Equipment Market Association

Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) of the automobile aftermarket was formed in 1963 by Paul Schiefer, Roy Richter, Ed Iskenderian, Els Lohn, Willie Garner, Bob Hedman, Robert E. Wyman, John Bartlett, Phil Weiand Jr, Al Segal, Dean Moon, and Vic Edelbrock Jr. and now consists of 6,383 companies worldwide, bringing together aftermarket manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers (OEM), media, car dealers, specialty equipment distributors, installers, retailers, and restoration specialists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruf Automobile</span> German automobile manufacturer

Ruf Automobile GmbH is a German car manufacturer. Formerly using Porsche bodies in white to build cars, today they build vehicles on their own bodies and chassis. They also manufacture performance parts for various Porsche models, including the 911, Boxster, and Cayman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porsche 911 GT2</span> Motor vehicle

The Porsche 911 GT2 is a high-performance, track-focused sports car built by the German automobile manufacturer Porsche from 1993 to 2009, and then since 2010 as the GT2 RS. It is based on the 911 Turbo, and uses a similar twin-turbocharged engine, but features numerous upgrades, including engine enhancements, larger brakes, and stiffer suspension calibration. The GT2 is significantly lighter than the Turbo due to its use of rear-wheel-drive instead of all-wheel-drive system and the reduction or removal of interior components. As a result, the GT2 is the most expensive and fastest model among the 911 lineup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porsche in motorsport</span> Motorsport activities of Porsche

Porsche has been successful in many branches of motorsport of which most have been in long-distance races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyundai Veloster</span> South Korean compact car

The Hyundai Veloster is a compact car first produced in 2011 by Hyundai, with sales beginning in South Korea on March 10, 2011, and in Canada and the United States since the fall of 2011. In South Korea, it was marketed under Hyundai's 'Premium Youth Lab'. It was unveiled on January 10, 2011, at the Detroit Auto Show, and fills the void left when Hyundai discontinued the Hyundai Tiburon after the 2008 model year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyundai Genesis Coupe</span> Motor vehicle

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe is a rear-wheel drive sports coupe from Hyundai Motor Company, first released on October 13, 2008, for the Korean market. It is Hyundai's first rear-wheel drive sports coupe, and shares its basic platform with the Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porsche 911 (classic)</span> Sports car, first and second generations of the Porsche 911

The original Porsche 911 is a luxury sports car made by Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany. A prototype of the famous, distinctive, and durable design was shown to the public in autumn 1963. Production began in September 1964 and continued through 1989. It was succeeded by a modified version, internally referred to as Porsche 964 but still sold as Porsche 911, as are current models.

Roock Racing is an auto racing team based in Leverkusen, Germany that was highly successful in numerous sports car and endurance racing series during the 1990s. The team was founded in 1984 by brothers Fabian and Michael Roock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porsche 911 (991)</span> Motor vehicle

The Porsche 991 is the seventh generation of the Porsche 911 sports car, which was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show on 15 September as the replacement for the 997. The 991 was an entirely new platform, only the third since the original 911 launched in 1963. Production of the 991 generation ended on December 20, 2019, with 233,540 units produced.

Turbochargers have been used on various petrol engines since 1962, in order to obtain greater power or torque output for a given engine displacement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porsche 911</span> Sports car produced by Porsche

The Porsche 911 is a two-door 2+2 high performance rear-engined sports car introduced in September 1964 by Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany. It has a rear-mounted flat-six engine and originally a torsion bar suspension. The car has been continuously enhanced through the years but the basic concept has remained unchanged. The engines were air-cooled until the introduction of the 996 series in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porsche Boxster and Cayman</span> Motor vehicle

The Porsche Boxster and Cayman are mid-engine two-seater sports cars manufactured and marketed by German automobile manufacturer Porsche across four generations—as a two-door, two-seater roadster (Boxster) and a three-door, two-seater fastback coupé (Cayman).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Singer Vehicle Design</span> American automotive company

Singer Vehicle Design is an American company that specializes in restoring and modifying Porsche 911s. It was founded by Rob Dickinson in 2009, who is also known as former frontman and guitarist of the English rock band Catherine Wheel. The company is based in Los Angeles, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman (982)</span> Third generation of the Cayman and fourth generation of the Boxster sports cars

The Porsche 982 is the internal designation of the fourth generation Boxster/Cayman made by German automobile manufacturer Porsche. With the switch to a new turbocharged flat-four engine the marketing name for the models was changed to Porsche 718, in reference to the 718, which won the Targa Florio race in 1959 and 1960. The name is meant to evoke Porsche's past racing successes with light cars like the 718 that outmanoeuvred competitors with larger and more powerful engines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruf SCR</span> Sports car manufactured by Ruf Automobile

The Ruf SCR is a sports car manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Ruf Automobile. The SCR was based on the Porsche 911 SC and the changes made to its engine enabled it to have similar performance to the 930 Turbo, despite having a naturally aspirated engine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porsche 911 RSR</span> Motor vehicle

The Porsche 911 RSR and its predecessor GT3 RSR, GT3 RS and GT3 R were a line of GT racing cars produced by Porsche that are used in motorsport for endurance races. They are based on the currently highest class in GT racing worldwide, the GTE class from ACO. These regulations lead back to the concept of a GT3 class below the then Group GT1 and GT2 from 1998. After the discontinuation of the GT1 class, the planned GT3 class was from 1999 at the ACO as a GT class below the GTS, as well advertised by the FIA from 2000 as N-GT. After the alignment of the GT rules between FIA and ACO in 2005, this class was renamed GT2 class. When the FIA's GT2 European Championship failed and the participants in the GT1 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans dwindled, the ACO renamed the GT2 class GTE in 2011 and divided it into GTE-Pro for professionals and GTE-AM for amateurs. Over the years, Porsche was continuously represented in this class with different series of the 911.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Ezerioha… Nigerian on mission to advance auto industry". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2021-02-20. Retrieved 2022-02-28.
  2. "5 Nigerian-Americans Who Are Doing Great — Without 'Yahoo Yahoo'". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2019-09-09. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  3. "This Nigerian engineer built the fastest carbureted front-wheel car in the world". Face2Face Africa. 2018-05-17. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  4. Ohakwe, Favour. "BUILDER OF WORLD'S FASTEST CARBURETED FRONT-WHEEL CAR – BISI EZERIOHA" . Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  5. "Bisimoto Engineering - Bisi Ezerioha". Honda Tuning Magazine. Archived from the original on 2011-07-12. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
  6. Bisi Ezerioha Interview – Honda Tuning Magazine
  7. Kojima, Mike (2002-04-02). Honda/Acura Engine Performance: How to Modify D, B, and H Series Honda/Acura Engines for Street and Drag Racing Performance. Penguin. ISBN   978-1-55788-384-1.
  8. "Ezerioha… Nigerian on mission to advance auto industry". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2021-02-20. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  9. "The 20 Best Import Tuner Shops in America". Complex Networks .
  10. "Bustin' Out: Meet the Cars and Stars of Motor Mythbusters". MotorTrend. 2021-08-04. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  11. "IDRC Firebird Nationals - Arizona - Turbo Magazine". 10 June 2002.
  12. Acoba, Paulo (2017-11-01). "Bisimoto unveils 700 HP Dodge Viper for NGK Spark Plugs at SEMA". Alt Car news. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  13. Jackson, Emmy (2015-09-26). "2016 Hyundai Tucson by Bisimoto engineering". www.topspeed.com. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
  14. "Hyundai's customizers crank up the horsepower". USA Today .
  15. County, Honda of Bay. "Honda of Bay County - Bisimoto Modifies 1k Horsepower Honda Odyssey for SEMA". Archived from the original on 2014-11-29. Retrieved 2014-11-17.
  16. "Honda Worldwide - October 30, 2012 "American Honda Highlights Performance and Personalization at 2012 SEMA Show"". Archived from the original on 2014-10-31. Retrieved 2014-11-17.
  17. 1 2 "Honda Worldwide - November 1, 2011 "2012 Honda Civic Si Wows At SEMA Show"". Archived from the original on 2015-10-06. Retrieved 2014-11-17.
  18. Staff, Autoblog. "SEMA 2010: Bisimoto Honda CR-Z is a 533-horsepower madhouse".
  19. "2010 Honda CR-Z By Bisimoto Engineering".
  20. http://www.carscoops.com/2014/09/bisimotos-hyundai-sonata-has-more.html Bisimoto's Hyundai Sonata Has More Horses than a Charger SRT Hellcat.
  21. https://autos.yahoo.com/news/888hp-bisimoto-sonata-rocks-hyundai-sema-display-200001590.html 888HP Bisimoto Sonata Rocks Hyundai SEMA Display
  22. "Watch Top Gear US Season 5 Episode - Amazon Video". Amazon.
  23. http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/bisimoto-turns-honda-odyssey-veyron-fighter Bisimoto turns honda odyssey into veyron fighter
  24. "Meet the 1,000bhp Hyundai Genesis". 24 September 2013.
  25. Brandon Turkus. "Bisimoto Hyundai Genesis Coupe is a 1,000-horsepower tuner dream".
  26. http://www.edmunds.com/car-news/1000-horsepower-2013-hyundai-genesis-coupe-by-bisimoto-set-for-2013-sema-show.html 1000 horsepower 2013 Hyundai Genesis coupe by Bisimoto set for 2013 SEMA show
  27. http://www.honda.com/newsandviews/article.aspx?id=6944-en 2013 Honda Accord Project Vehicle Program.